The Observer, 26 November 1967: Leather and suede used to be thought of as typical gear for middle-aged women. Then black leather acquired a ton-up image, associated with open throttles, adenoids and inarticulateness

For music critic Sasha Frere-Jones, it's the Beatles jacket he bought aged 13. For Greta Gerwig, it's a shirt her teenage crush left behind. For Rosanne Cash it's her dad Johnny's stage shirt. Seven writers unpick the piece of clothing they treasure the most